YXJ - 13

The order of performance was decided by drawing lots. Chen Sumin seemed to be un-suspensefully arranged as the final act.

In such a situation, performing last has a greater advantage.

Lin Wangshu was sixth.

Jiang Congxian sat in the first row, bored, watching the female student performing on stage.

He was a crude person who couldn’t appreciate music and was even less interested in things he couldn’t see or touch.

A piece of music took an average of five minutes. Jiang Congxian uncrossed his long legs, picked up the water bottle on the table, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip.

The host announced the name of the next performer.

“Lin Wangshu.”

The boys behind him, who had been bored and yawning, suddenly came to life and shouted her name loudly.

One voice was very close, as if right behind him.

“Lin Wangshu, you are the best!”

Jiang Congxian sat up slightly, and his gaze returned to the stage.

The spotlight shone on her, a thin layer of light, as if it were the only brightness in the chaotic darkness.

Her skin was a cold white, her complexion looking exceptionally translucent.

Her black hair was simply tied up in a bun, revealing her fair, swan-like neck.

Lin Wangshu sat down on the chair, smoothed her skirt, and looked up, meeting the man’s eyes.

The corners of his lips were turned up in a smile, and his dark eyes gazed at her quietly.

Jiang Congxian was always meticulous in public. In a suit, he looked even more distinguished and austere, with an air of calmness in his eyes.

He easily created a sense of distance from those around him.

Lin Wangshu didn’t know why he was here, but she didn’t have the presence of mind to care.

The most important thing right now was to perform this piece well.

When the music ended, the audience applauded thunderously.

As she left the stage, she happened to run into Chen Sumin, who was about to go on. The latter snorted, “Overestimating yourself.”

Then, she brushed past her shoulder and walked onto the stage.

Her cello was carried onto the stage by a professional, who handled it with great care. Chen Sumin, like an arrogant princess, sat down in the chair and deliberately scanned the audience until she saw Jiang Congxian.

He was still the most eye-catching person in the crowd. The person next to him was talking to him, and he listened quietly, occasionally showing a faint smile.

Her heart suddenly skipped a beat, completely captivated by that smile.

The man seemed to sense something and looked towards the stage. His expression was calm and indifferent, nothing unusual.

But Chen Sumin blushed at the eye contact.

She thought she had to perform this piece perfectly.

After all the performances were over, the people on the side were busy tallying the scores.

The result had actually been decided beforehand.

Even people who didn’t understand music could see that the winner of this competition was undoubtedly Lin Wangshu.

Jiang Congxian massaged his wrist, gently rotating it to relax his muscles. His smile was gentle enough. “Director Xu, a school is not like society. Things should be a little more fair. Don’t let these children who have prepared so hard be disheartened.”

Director Xu was an experienced old hand with deep thoughts and experience.

Even though Jiang Congxian was smiling, his slightly lowered tone seemed to carry a hint of warning.

It wasn’t exactly a threat; it was more like a casual reminder that it was better for the school to be fair.

He couldn’t afford to offend Old Man Chen, and he certainly couldn’t afford to offend Jiang Congxian.

Director Xu knew where to draw the line. He smiled and nodded in response, “This selection was always based on skill, and naturally, we will let skill speak for itself.”

On the stage, the host announced the results.

The students who participated in the selection were all standing on the stage. Chen Sumin snorted and looked proudly at Lin Wangshu beside her, repeating, “Overestimating yourself.”

Lin Wangshu didn’t react at all, as if she hadn’t heard anything.

Chen Sumin hated her aloofness. A penniless girl, yet she dared to act like a princess, thinking she was something special.

She straightened her back, adopting a posture of a winner, and had even prepared her acceptance speech.

It was not until the host announced the name that she froze.

“Let’s congratulate Lin Wangshu!”

Lin Wangshu blinked, a little slow to react.

She hadn’t expected that the spot she had given up all hope for would be given to her.

She took the flowers from the host, and her eyes happened to drift into the audience.

Jiang Congxian stood up, elegantly buttoned the front of his suit jacket, and left the venue early.

________________________________________

Xun Ya, after rushing to finish her work, still missed the event.

But when she heard from He Jingyang that Lin Wangshu had won the championship, she breathed a sigh of relief, pressing her hand to her chest. “That’s great, that’s great.”

She had seen how much this opportunity meant to Lin Wangshu.

“We’re going to Zhugin Restaurant tonight. My treat.”

Xun Ya put her arm around her shoulder with a generous air.

Lin Wangshu smiled. “I’ll treat you.”

Xun Ya said with conviction, “How can that be? I have to be the one to treat you for celebrating.”

He Jingyang gently interrupted, “I’ve already booked a table.”

Xun Ya was amused. “You knew our Shushu would win all along?”

He looked at Lin Wangshu, his face slightly red, and quickly looked away. “I just thought... she would definitely win, so...”

They had no relationship, not even friends. Lin Wangshu didn’t want to owe anyone a favor in this way and was about to refuse.

He Jingyang added, “Just think of it as a thank you for the sweater you gave me.”

Xun Ya whispered to her, “It’s just one meal. If you refuse outright, He Jingyang will lose face.”

She wanted to set the two of them up. Although she was always curious about the marks on Lin Wangshu’s body, she never brought it up. Perhaps she had a boyfriend, but Lin Wangshu never talked about it, and she didn’t seem to be taken.

Although they had only known each other for two years, Xun Ya could see the changes in her over the past six months.

The pride in her bones seemed to have been worn away, and she spoke less and less.

He Jingyang had a good temper, a good family background, and he was handsome. All the girls and older students at school stared at him like he was prey.

If Lin Wangshu could be with him, she would definitely be better off than she was now.

After Xun Ya’s repeated persuasion, Lin Wangshu hesitated for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

“I’ll treat you next time.”

Her polite distance sounded like something else to He Jingyang.

He nodded enthusiastically, overjoyed. “Okay.”

Zhugin Restaurant, a Chinese restaurant close to the school, had a high average cost and usually served a wealthy and powerful clientele.

He Jingyang, wanting to make it livelier, had also called his roommates.

The private rooms were soundproof, which was convenient for guests to have private conversations.

A waitress in a cheongsam walked in front, leading them to the private room he had booked.

Tian Shui Jian.

He Jingyang’s roommates were talkative, and before long, they had brought the atmosphere in the private room to life. Xun Ya was laughing so hard she was bent over.

Lin Wangshu didn’t like such a noisy environment. She found an excuse, thinking of going out for some fresh air.

“You guys chat. I’m going to the restroom.”

Leaving the lively private room, Lin Wangshu rubbed her sore shoulders, thinking of going home early tonight to get a good rest.

The hallway was not too wide. A few men in suits came from the opposite direction, laughing and talking.

She stood aside, wanting to let them pass first.

Chen Sumin had been eliminated and was now throwing a tantrum at her father at home. When Chen Xun found out, he immediately went to find Jiang Congxian.

Coincidentally, he had a social event, and Chen Xun shamelessly insisted on coming along.

“Brother Xian, what do you think of my sister’s performance today?”

He looked down and chuckled, “Very good.”

Chen Xun was quite proud of his sister and praised her nonstop. “She’s been a good student since she was little. She started learning the cello at eight years old, and even her teacher said she was talented. At that time...”

His mouth was like a breached dam, going on and on.

Jiang Congxian wasn’t listening very carefully; patience was something that couldn’t be faked.

He subconsciously placed his right hand on his left wrist, gently rotating it, the noisy voice in his ear making him inexplicably irritable.

Not until his eyes met the young girl standing against the wall in front of him.

The light from the ceiling was soft, and she was still wearing that white gown.

Jiang Congxian remembered it; he had personally taken her to have it custom-made.

White suited her.

He saw the desire in her eyes to draw a line between them, pretending not to know him.

Jiang Congxian decided he wouldn’t give her what she wanted. A mischievous thought arose, and he was about to walk over and greet her.

He Jingyang came out of the private room and called her name, “Lin Wangshu.”

She was stunned and looked at him. “What’s wrong?”

He handed her his phone. “A call just came in. I think it’s your grandmother.”

Lin Wangshu thanked him and gave up on going to the restroom. She walked out through the aisle behind her, wanting to find a quiet place to call back.

Jiang Congxian saw the sweater on the man and his eyes turned cold.

Ever since Lin Wangshu gave him that sweater, He Jingyang had been unwilling to take it off.

At night, he would wash it in the washing machine, hang it on the balcony to dry overnight, and wear it again the next day.

His roommates all teased him, asking why he was wearing a sweater on such a hot day.

He wanted to keep wearing it even if he got heatstroke.

She called back, and the call was answered quickly. It was nothing serious; her grandmother just missed her a little.

They chatted about random things for a while. Lin Wangshu wanted to talk to Lin Yue, but her grandmother laughed, “He’s asleep. He’s been going to bed early these past few days.”

Sleeping early meant his mental state was good during the day. Lin Wangshu breathed a sigh of relief.

She gave a few more instructions and then hung up the phone.

He Jingyang had been waiting for her the whole time. Lin Wangshu was holding her phone, ready to go in, and was startled when she saw him.

He Jingyang scratched his head sheepishly. “Did I scare you?”

She said calmly, “It’s fine.”

And then, “Let’s go in.”

He Jingyang responded and went back into the private room with her.

The dinner was very lively, full of talkative people.

They hardly ate any food, busy with games and fun.

It wasn’t until late at night that the party gradually broke up.

A few people who were dead drunk were lying on the side of the road, throwing up. He Jingyang had called a ride-sharing service, and it was ten minutes away.

He had originally planned to drop Xun Ya and Lin Wangshu off first, but the other people were so drunk they were completely drained of energy.

Xun Ya saw his dilemma and waved her hand. “We’ll just take a taxi back ourselves.”

“But...” He was still a little worried and looked at Lin Wangshu.

Xun Ya laughed, “What, are you worried she’ll get kidnapped on this street?”

He Jingyang shook his head and laughed, “How could that happen?”

As soon as he finished speaking, a black SUV pulled up beside them.

The rear door opened. Before Xun Ya and the others could react, the man’s lean and powerful arm wrapped around Lin Wangshu’s slender waist, and he pulled her into the car.

Xun Ya was stunned for a long time, staring blankly at the exhaust of the SUV as it drove away.

She couldn’t believe she had just jinxed it.

He Jingyang rushed to chase after it, but two legs couldn’t outrun four wheels.

He chased for a long time, but the distance only grew wider.

Lin Wangshu was still in a daze. The car was not lit, with only a little light from the streetlights outside the window coming in.

Because of the speed of the car, the light was only fleeting.

With this faint light, she could still make out the man sitting next to her.

He was sitting with his eyes closed, the lines of his face outlined by the night, sharp and sexy.

His fingers rested on his black trousers, long, pale, and well-defined.

Before Lin Wangshu could speak, her phone rang. She looked down.

It was Xun Ya calling.

She had just pressed “answer” when the voice on the other end urgently asked, “Are you okay? Did they do anything to you? Don’t be scared. He Jingyang has already gone to the police station to report it. You just...”

Jiang Congxian slowly opened his eyes and looked at her with a smile. “Who’s calling?”

His tone was gentle, as if mixed with moonlight.

Xun Ya clearly heard him and hesitated for a moment. Are kidnappers’ voices this nice now?

Lin Wangshu ignored him and explained to Xun Ya, “Don’t call the police. It’s someone I know.”

“Someone you know?”

She gave a soft hum, glanced at the hand that had already made its way onto her thigh, and quickly said, “I’ll tell you when we meet next time.”

Then, she hung up the phone in a hurry.

Her dress was thin. The man’s hand felt as if it were ironed directly onto her skin.

He moved slowly and asked softly, “Hmm?”

“It’s none of your business.”

Jiang Congxian’s face showed no change, and he was still smiling.

The girl was quite pragmatic. Her attitude towards him had been better since they returned from Qing City, but these past few days, she had been cold again.